Obesity is the commonest disease seen by vets in practice. Apparently 20-25% of cats and 18-44% of dogs in developed countries are obese.
But what is obesity? Animals are considered to be clinically overweight when they are more than 10% over their ideal weight, and are obese if over 20% of their ideal weight.
Over the years of working as a veterinarian, I have diagnosed many overweight and obese pets- dogs, cats, rabbits and even guinea pigs!
Often overweight pets are owned by overweight owners (although not exclusively), which makes me wonder if some owners are even aware of the problem. This fact can make discussing the issue with clients difficult for some vets. Personally I’m not shy about being direct! As a vet I have a duty of care to explain to owners of overweight pets about the condition and why it’s important to get our pets back to their optimum, healthy weights. I also understand that it’s not usually a simple case of overfeeding.
So, why do pets become overweight in the first place? The reasons can be complex and may include genetics, lack of exercise, overfeeding, neutering. Also certain medical conditions (notably Cushing’s disease and hypothyroidism), and even medications themselves (corticosteroids), can cause weight gain.
Certain breeds of dogs are definitely genetically predisposed to becoming overweight. These breeds are Labradors , golden retrievers, collies, Rottweilers, Bernese Mountain dogs, Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards, beagles, cocker spaniels, basset hounds, cairn terriers, dachshunds, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Scottish terriers and chow chows.
Exercising dogs is very important for their mental well being, fitness and weight control. Sometimes people don’t fully understand the exercise requirements of their chosen breed. Other times owners have changes in working hours, lifestyle changes, illness or disability that reduce the amount of time they can dedicate to exercising their dog.
Many more cats are now kept indoors all the time which means they have less opportunity to exercise. Unfortunately a large number of rabbits and guinea pigs are often kept in their hutches for long periods of time and also suffer from a lack of exercise.
Overfeeding is an obvious cause of obesity. Many people associate feeding their pet with showing love and affection. There are however, many other ways we can demonstrate affection towards our pets, for example stroking and petting them, playing a game, going for a walk with a dog.
Overfeeding relates to the quantity of food and also the type of food. I have seen many adolescent cats and dogs that are already overweight because they are still being fed kitten and puppy food which is really high in calories. We also need to be aware that the feeding instructions on the food are only a guide and need to be adjusted for the individual pet. Ad lib feeding of cats is another way they can become overweight because contrary to popular belief, in my experience, pets are not good at regulating their food intake to maintain optimum weight! Feeding too many treats and table scraps will also predispose the pet to excessive weight gain- this does refer to rabbits and guinea pigs too!
Another time that pets can be accidently overfed is when they are recovering from surgery. My mother-in-law’s dog ‘Red’ is a good example of this. In the space of two years ‘Red’ had operations on both hind limbs which required post-operative rest for a total of about 5 months. During this time, despite having restricted exercise, he was fed the same amount as normal. He started at 16kg and ended up at 19kg two years later. He had gained a massive 18% of his original weight!
Neutering may predispose an animal to weight gain but this weight gain is avoidable with careful attention to feeding regimens post-operatively. In my opinion, the benefits of neutering far outweigh the potential risk of weight gain.
As always, prevention is better than cure! It is really useful to take your pet to the vet surgery regularly for routine weight checks. This way, small increases in weight can be noted and corrected quickly. It is also a good way to get your pet used to the surgery so that he or she is not afraid that something ‘bad’ will happen- weight checks are fun because they usually end with a cuddle (for the pet)!
Why should we worry if our pet is overweight or obese? Even being slightly overweight will reduce the lifespan of your pet and predispose them to problems.
I have seen many overweight pets that are just ‘slow’, they are less active and have a reduced exercise tolerance. Being overweight predisposes to breathing difficulties, heart disease and a reduced immunity. It also increases the risk associated with anaesthesia and surgery.
Joint problems are more prevalent in overweight dogs. Pregnant animals that are overweight have increased risk of dystocia (difficulty giving birth) which may result in the need for a caesarean. Obesity can even predispose to the development of ‘cancer’.
Diabetes mellitus can result from obesity, especially in cats. Overweight cats can also develop a condition called hepatic lipidosis which is fat accumulation in the liver resulting in liver damage. Feline lower urinary tract disease (cystitis) is much more common in overweight male cats and can result in a blockage of the urethra and an inability to urinate which can be life-threatening.
How can we tell if our pet is at the correct weight? When touching a normal animal you should be able to feel his or her ribs easily. In a dog there should be a little ‘waist’ when viewed from above and a ‘tucked up’ abdomen when viewed from the side. Cats should also have a slightly ‘tucked up’ abdomen! Please see the Prurina guide below.
If you can’t easily feel your pet’s ribs please take him or her to the vet for an assessment.
There are many ways we can help your pet to lose weight if needed. The aim is to lose weight at the rate of 1-2 % per week until the desired weight is reached and then maintain it- this is lifelong treatment involving calorie control and exercise.
Firstly we must reduce overall calorie intake. This may be as simple as slightly reducing portion size and cutting out/reducing/changing unhealthy treats. Remember that animals don’t always require food as a reward! A cuddle or game will do just as well! For dogs, using toys such as ‘Kong’ toys is a way to make the food portion last longer and provides mental stimulation whilst retrieving the food. Sometimes just actually weighing the daily portion of food can make a huge difference because then you accurately know how much food your pet is actually eating!
If stricter reductions in calorie intake are required, then I recommend a veterinary prescription diet- the protein, vitamins and minerals are balanced to a lower intake of diet overall. Restricting the quantities of a normal diet may cause a risk of deficiencies.
Increasing exercise is also really important to use up calories and ensure that lean muscle is retained as your pet loses weight. This increase needs to be initiated slowly so as not to physically strain your pet until their health has improved. Older pets with arthritis may require pain medications to encourage them to exercise until they have lost some weight. Hydrotherapy can be an excellent way to help with weight loss, some cats even take to it!
A professional dog walker may be helpful for elderly or disabled/ill owners. The Cinnamon Trust is a UK-based charity that puts dog owners and voluntary dog walkers in contact with each other. Visit www.cinnamon.org.uk !
Recently two veterinary prescription medications have entered the market as an aid to weight loss in DOGS. They work by reducing appetite and the amount of fat absorption. They are NOT licensed for long term use and are designed to aid initial weight loss whilst new feeding and exercise regimens are put into place.
All weight loss programmes for your pet should be undertaken with the aid of your veterinary team. Weight checks every 2-4 weeks are recommended initially. Measuring the circumference of your pet’s waist and taking regular photos will help you see how well your pet is progressing.
Remember ‘Red’ who had gained 18% o his bodyweight!? Well, it took about 8 months to get ‘Red’ back down to his optimal weight. All the effort was worth it because he is now back to his old spritely tricks!
Please remember to regularly check your pet’s weight and ensure they are maintaining optimal weight. This will help ensure they lead long, healthy, happy lives!
Have fun with your pets!
‘Compassion for animals, passion for nature.’
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